SimRacing.org.uk

All members welcome.

Practice: 20:15 (15 mins)
Qualifying: 20:30 (20 mins)
Race: 20:50 (20 laps = ~40 mins)

Track: Kyalami (download here (https://www.simracing.org.uk/index.php?pid=27))
Cars allowed: Lotus Elan, Corvette, Shelby Daytona
Time of Day Setting: 15:00
Start: Rolling

Server: UKGTL GTC-65 Cup
Password: available from the event page (https://www.simracing.org.uk/index.php?ind=lm2&event=330) (see the Show Password link under the announcement text)

Notes:
(1) It's best if all drivers can make sure they are connected before the Qualifying session as drivers on track during qualifying will not see cars that join after they are on track until they go back to the garage.
(2) Please make sure you are fully aware of the SimRacing.org.uk Rules (https://www.simracing.org.uk/index.php?pid=7).
(3) General information on the series can be found on the series home page (https://www.simracing.org.uk/index.php?ind=lm2&group=46).
(4) The season will be run using the UKGTL Skin Pack 1.3 which will need to be installed prior to racing; please get it from the downloads page (https://www.simracing.org.uk/index.php?pid=27).

Decisions, decisions .....

Nimble, friendly Elan, or pant-wetting V8 beastie-type ...... should be an interesting race, but I think the beastie's have the edge.

Won't be able to make this one :( Working 12-8s this week

Me neither, frustratingly. Hopefully I'll have better attendance in the future!

In theory I should be able to join...in anything than that Elan. Probably gonna take that nice black Vette  ;D

not gonna make this, got no interest in the limited cars available.

I dont understand why we use a mickey mouse little track last week for the '76 cars, then this week use a great GP track and a lowly 3 car choice GT65 cars for it  ???
I think by making these limitations your almost enforcing low turnouts  :(
You generally get the same bunch of enthusiasts turning up each week so why not open up the car choices and let us drive what we want to drive, within the same class structure or even a mixture of classes as long as we all get someone to race against.

 ::)

The reason is that with such a low turnout every week if there is much variety in the cars then no one will race anyone else OR people will just take the fast cars. I can't win without 30 people every week it has to be very restrictive. The GTC-65 cars are wildly different in performance. This isn't just done on a whim, I do lots of research into this every week to try and keep the cars competitive.

You're welcome to take over the job though Mark. :P

I think it's fine how it goes now.

Equal cars is more important than a big variety IMO. But also variety in the kind of races is fun. Normally the 76's drive at big tracks, last time it was a small track, but from what I've read, many people had a great time as there was lot's of action.
And low turnout? Wasn't the Tzukuba race around 18-20 people, and some race before that also around 20. To be honoust, the clubmen endurannce has a lower turnout. There were more G3 cars around last time that G1 IIRC.

Don't worry Simon, MJ always has something negative to say  ;)....I guess Peter Parker is too busy running around in his costume :P ;D

I know I'm only new round here, but I'd also back up what Simon is doing.  What we all want is close racing, and these car choices give us that, and they also take people out of their comfort zone and make them drive somethng different - a bit of variety's gotta be good.

I don't know what the series was like when it was a handicap ladder thing, but going by the public servers, where TC65 is largely Alfas (I do love driving the Alfa, but for variety I usually end up taking the slower Cortina or Mustang) and GTC65 is often so hit and miss in terms of finding someone to race with equally, especially as I like the mid-speed cars (E-type, Ferrari, even Merc).

Look what happened at Tsukuba where there was a larger car choice, it was a Porsche outing, as everyone knows the cars well enough to know the BMW and Escort are just a little off the pace.

You could argue that some people may not like the car/track combination, but making it open could turn the races into near one-make series.

I'd be there on thursday if I could, I never got on with the Vette, have limited Elan experience so by default I'd take the Daytona which is *okay* but it would still be good close racing, which is what its about.  ;D

Well said Steve...well said :thumbup1:

Yeah silly me, theres me thinking i was posting an opinion on a 'forum'....wouldnt want to be doing that in the wrong place would i ::)

I was just kidding, you are in your right to do what you did, no doubt. But maybe an idea to suggest track/car combo's? Try some tracks and test them thoroughly and then find some cars that are godo on the track. Suggest that to Simon and maybe the next race will be on that combo. I think that would be very usefull for the organisation :)

A polite, diplomatic reply, very refreshing around here, thanks Ruskus.  :angel:
I actually think Simons done very well with the car and track combo's for most of this season and injected new life into the GTL series, but i (personally) find the limited choice of cars un-inspiring on certain weeks and it leaves me no interest in racing that week, which cant be a good thing with numbers always on the lower side.

 I think a couple of regulars share that opinion on car type availability, but i could be wrong.

Like i said earlier, just an personal observation from someone who enjoys his classic racing. I havent got the spare time to learn a car that i have no interest in driving, like the vettes and elan at Kyalami but if there had been more choice available i would have turned up.

Yeah I can understand. If there is only 906 and 911 to pick from, I wouldn't join as well, as I don't like both cars. GTL is all about fun for me, I don't care where I finish. So if the cars are no fun I won't join. That's the downside of restricting carchoices. If there is no car you like, you are basically out of luck. But I think restricting is the way to go, as there is just too much difference between the cars in the same class.
As long as there is a muscle car to be picked, I'm there  ;D

I too race for fun.   ;D  Oddly enough one of my most absorbing race and successful in passing was with that pig of a Falcon at Zolder - definitely not a car or track of choice.  ::)  Similarly was the last race at Kyalami where my beloved 906 wasn't available so I went for and mastered the 911 - well nearly.  The race was one of the most enjoyable.

I guess what I'm saying is being forced to take a car from a selection means we all start off equally disadvantaged and the fun is the battle to be race competitive - or in my case less less competite.

Stick with it!!   :thumbup1: :thumbup2:

Eh?! You asked a few questions Mark and I answered them. The GTC-65 class is a joke for competitiveness so the car choice must be VERY restrictive otherwise we don't get any racing or everyone hops in the GT40. The car choices and classes change every single week as does the track, that seems pretty varied to me.

Shame you can't bring yourself to try cars that might not float your boat as you're missing out.

Indeed and with low turnouts using the GP circuits is a no no, because we'd never see each other. Most people race GTL for fun not for position and if we lose contact with each other then we're losing one of the big reasons to race.


17 at Tsukuba, but that is an exception rather than a rule. We've been getting 12-13 for the most part.

From what Gizmo has said there will be no Clubmen Endurance next season, just one Endurance division for the very reason you've stated.


Yes I know, he's extremely "hard to please". :-*

This is a tough one.

Of course the more people that turn up for the races the better. Most likely some people are not turning up due to the restrictive car choices not being there cup of tea some weeks, on the flip side possibly if there were no restrictions and you turned up in a slower car to everyone else you wouldn't bother turning out for the next race for fear of the same thing happening.

As you guys have stated the GTL series is more about fun racing for most of the regulars although winning is always nice. I've enjoyed ,my GTL races much more than my GTR2 turnouts recently. Personally if we didn't restrict car choice I'd probably go with the car that was most fun for a given circuit as I'm sure a lot of others would.

I'd prefer it if the car choice wasn't restricted. Although I must admit it's made me try cars i probably wouldn't have otherwise, some of which I've really enjoyed.

I love the variaty that the GTL Leauge gives. Different cars every week keeps things new and exciting.

Unfortunatley the only thing keeping me from attending weekly is a 7 hour time difference and starting work at any time before 4pm :/

I'll be there in the 'vette i think - just happy to race  ::)

I'll be there again to keep the numbers up if once again I can stay awake after a gruelling 12 hour shift.
To get you in the mood here is a little vid I put together of the last race.  I need some extra camera angles, especially the in car one I have seen in other vids please help.  I have looked on nogrip and can't seem to find them.

Here is the link to the vid, hope you enjoy.http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3242RHK1 (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3242RHK1)

I might be there aswell....and with the Murcielago
                                                     Lister Storm
                                                      Lotus Elite
                                                       Renault Megane
                                                        Ducati 900
                                                          Elan ????????? :laugh:

Cheers

I should be able to make this race. I like the car choice for this race – but I cant stand this track :( oh well it will be a challange.
I will probably select the Daytona just to make it harder for myself…. the Elan is probably the fastest & most easy to drive car for this track - but i dont have a setup for the Elan.
V8's are better anyway  ;)

I've not really run any laps round here.  I don't get on with the Yank-tanks, so assuming I can get the car setup for tonight, I'll be taking the Elan.

I'll be in the Elan as there is a Team Shark one to choose. No setup, but that's normal, just turn up try to cobble one together in P1 and Q1 and then race.  ;D

For Elan setup, try...
'2' dampers all round (one step from full-soft). Medium springs front and rear. One click off full-soft roll bars front and rear. 30 power diff, 50 trail diff. 2.5 camber front and rear, max castor, -0.1 toe front, 0.1 to rear. Play with brake balance to your own tastes. :)

Hope it helps...

Cheers - I'll give that a go when I get home.

I used to have a nice "safe" Elan setup, but after one reformat to many at some point in the past I've lost it.

I ran a few laps last night, and as ever me and the Vette don't get on.  I like it's raw speed and power,  but it's as responsive as a large governmental organisation ... The default Elan setup is rubbish, but even so it was more friendly than the "big" cars.

Much respect to those drivers that opt for the tanks - I can't drive them.

Not all of those of us who opt for them can either! :laugh:

…if only it was the GPL / Rfactor (79 mod) Kyalami track. I’ve driven a few laps of this track and cant get it together, just doesn’t seem to flow well for me…hard to judge the braking points on many corners.
I gonna keep with the Daytona because >
a) the Ducfreak sound mod
b) The Daytona  can be great fun...but I a get the feeling not on this track.

Thx for the Lotus setup tips RealMrPot

 

You should warm to the circuit after a bit more practice it's really good fun, with the stupid really tight chicane near the end being the only exception.

In the end I went with the Vette, and really enjoyed it until I went to pieces in spectacular fashion.  Lost it on the big left hander at the start of the lap .... and then somewhere else .... and then somewhere else.

After dropping 32 seconds on one lapmy heart really wasn't in it.

I know I should really have stayed in ... but after my first off my car would be up to the axel in kitty-litter...and I've got some stuff that really needs doing.

Cheers all for this evening .... especially Bernie whom I had a cracking fight with in practice, qually and up until I forgot how to drive .... the race!

My accelerator pot finally gave up the ghost. Replaced it with the last spare but something was still wrong after I screwed it all back together; opened it up and fixed it again but by the time I was able to rejoin the race had started and it was too late. :-\

Quite an intersting race.

Right after the start I powered by the Elan infront of me. Halfway in L1 Madd infront spun and I saw Simon fly higher and higher  ;D.

After that the race became a bit dull, untill PRibeiro came flying towards. At that time my tires were gone. That was around lap 8. Just to clarify, after 2 qually laps my front tires were 250kPA ;D. So I expect them to be around 300 at the race  :lol:.

Car was extremely slippery, so I had to powerslide around some corners. HUGE fun. But those pesky mosquitos were eating my flyswapper alive. Some Elans overtook me beautifully, eventhough they were painfull. Especially Madd's overtake on my outside  :o. Ouch  ;D

Damn good quali ruined by snatching the wrong gear at that corkscrew type corner  (sorry don't know the name  :-[) and spun like a top! lots of smoke and then a Shark and my skinned Elan (naughty Mgoran,  :nono: you must not use other peoples skins) and ended up at the back....Rats and double rats.
I thought that I would have damaged the car but apart from a dead headlight all seemed ok so just knuckled down and went for it, had some damn good scraps along the way most notably Ruskus (no paint rubbing this time  ;D ) and Poodle in his animal Daytona, started to close on Pribeiro in 3rd with a couple of laps left but lost the back end and was just chuffed to get 4th tbh.

Provisional results (https://www.simracing.org.uk/index.php?ind=lm2&event=330), replay (http://ukgtl.simracing.org.uk/) and provisionally updated standings (https://www.simracing.org.uk/index.php?ind=lm2&group=46).

Baracus has now made it mathematically impossible to catch him in the GTC-65 Cup, so may I be the first to congratulate him on his success. The other 2 podium positions are still up for grabs however with 5 drivers all with a shout in the final round at what should be an exciting and hectic race at Magny-Cours Club!

Also congratulations to Ghostspeed for also winning the GTC-65 Cup team championship with a massive margin of victory. Team Shark appear to have secured 2nd place but 3rd (currently held by Team Oldie) is still up for grabs.

And what a vision see you slidding around corner after corner, i catching your bumper
but then horsepower down the straights, then catching again......and this huge fun batlle
lasted 5,6 laps...not sure...what i am sure is about your excellent driving, well done Ruskus.
Congratulations Baracus and Assassino, an amazing pace.

Thanks all, cheers

Unofficial Lapchart (http://www.lapcharts.teamshark.org.uk/Lapcharts/GTL Kyalami GTC65 14-06-2007/index.html)

Thanks Ribeiro. Those laps flew by and all of a sudden we were over half the distance. Shame I couldn't keep up after you overtook me  ;D

Don't forget,  next week at Hockenheim (Short) (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3189.msg51741#msg51741) with the TC-65 cars. Should be good fun.

Sorry I missed this one, chaps. I got stuck at work.  See you next time.

Stu

 ;D Can't wait Simon!! GTL ROCKS!!

According to standings table, you can miss this last event also ;D 8)(TC-65)
Ofcourse im joaking Stu, you are always welcome, even if it means more
difficulty for a better result for me :)

Cheers

That was OK….after the spin on the 1st lap I found myself in 5th.
Car felt better with the extra fuel and I was able to delay the faster Elan passing me for a few laps.  Of course once the Lotus is close I had no chance. Under braking was the real problem for me, trying to out brake the Elan is not recommended 
Apart form a mistake on the last lap I’m fairly happy, lap time under 2:00 during the race and 2nd fastest V8.
Grats to [GS]Baracus & Jeffrey Ruskus in the vette.

I cant make next race working late shift 
So gl & hf.
Keith

Thank you muchly! :-D
Found it hard to get in a groove with that Elan during practice - its so easy to run wide and found it required "hard but gentle" steering to make it do what you wanted. Especially the brake pedal was really sensitive - it felt like trying to keep a Rizzla on its end by blowing on each side!

1st race lap I was much too cautious in the first section allowing Assassino to get right up on me and I was thinking dont take your team mate out!

Started pulling out a bit then had to really focus on going quick enough to keep concentration but not too quick - felt good most of the time. A couple of wobbles half way but kept momentum each time. It as fun watchin the name tags when coming back down the hill after the hairpin! I could see PR and Ruskus nose to tail for a few laps and Madd making good progress! To be honest it flew by - 20 laps felt like 10.

Great podium finish for [GS] - thats a first I think?

So, I gotta take Abarth next then??

Yes...the Abarth and you just can drive with 4th gear ::)

 :oops:

sorry ... i didn't know this is  :nono:


 :angel-wings: